Through targeted new acquisitions and a collection of user copies of work produced from the archives, the library offers up-to-date research literature on the holdings of the Federal Archives. These holdings are developed primarily on the basis of the collections profile.
The library also holds numerous historical collections, with a special focus on historical newspapers and periodicals. Bequest libraries and historical literature on the labour movement and German military history form a special focus within the holdings.
The library of the Federal Archives contains a nearly complete collection of official publications, particularly from the time of the German Reich and the GDR. This offers convenient access to officially published versions, for example of legal texts and ordinances.
The library also collects grey literature. This includes publications that were printed in small numbers and distributed via non-commercial channels. It is not uncommon for these publications to come directly from the archive holdings. This shows that the line between archive and library holdings is sometimes blurred and that it may be wise to conduct research in both places.
Grey literature includes flyers, samizdat, programme booklets, conference reports, minutes and theses. The Federal Archives Library often has sole possession of these items.
The holdings are listed in the library’s online catalogue, which also includes instructions for ordering media. The library holdings of the Stasi Records Archive can also be searched online.